Suction-Cup Blade Crawler for Wind Turbine Leading Edge Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic inspection and maintenance solutions for wind turbine blades are inadequate, particularly for leading edge erosion and debris buildup, as they are either inefficient or unsuitable for harsh environments and high wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A robotic device with four or more legs, each comprising articulated limb segments and a suction cup foot, allowing it to crawl along the leading edge of wind turbine blades for inspection and maintenance, equipped with a resin application system and cleaning capabilities, and capable of operating autonomously and securely in strong winds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drones with cameras are used for blade inspection, then inspection capability is provided, but reliability is reduced in high wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces aerial mechanical systems (drones) with a ground-based robotic system that crawls on the blade surface. The robotic device uses articulated legs with suction cups to traverse the blade, eliminating the need for aerial operations in high wind conditions while maintaining inspection and maintenance capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If robots use electromagnets to cling to the mast, then climbing capability is achieved, but adaptability to blade surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic suction cups on the robotic device's legs to adhere to the blade surface. This pneumatic attachment system provides versatile adaptability to curved and complex blade geometries, unlike electromagnetic systems that require specific magnetic properties and flat surfaces.
3Reliability
If regular manual inspection is performed, then damage detection is achieved, but loss of time and increased cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device performs autonomous inspection and maintenance operations on wind turbine blades. It navigates the blade surface independently, detects damage using onboard sensors, and applies repairs without human intervention, eliminating the time loss and costs associated with manual inspection while maintaining high detection reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robotic device significantly reduces maintenance costs and risks by enabling efficient inspection and maintenance of wind turbine blades, even in high wind conditions, while minimizing human intervention and extending blade lifespan through precise repairs and coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a suction cup foot, allowing it to crawl along the leading edge
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic device is described comprising four or more legs (14) which is configured to crawl over a surface of a wind turbine blade (2) for inspection of and/or maintenance of the wind turbine blade. The robotic device (10) may be programmed to crawl along a leading edge (3) of the wind turbine blade to conduct inspection and/or maintenance of the leading edge of the wind turbine blade. It may comprise a body (12) defining a longitudinal axis, the robotic device further comprising a row of legs (14) arranged on opposite sides of the body, the legs each comprising two or more articulated limb segments (16, 18) and a foot (40). The foot may include a suction cup 28 for securing the robotic device to the wind turbine blade.